Stalk-depithing machine.



No. 670,037. I Patented Mar. l9, l90l.

v a. R. smznwoon.

STALK DEPITHING MACHINE. (Application filed Jan. 15. '1900.)

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No. 670,037. Patented Mar. l9, 19m.

6. a. snenwoon.

ST ALK DEPITHING MACHINE. (Appljcation filed Jan. 15, 1900.1 LNo Model.)I i 4 Sheets-Shani.

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Patented Mar. 19, l90l.

6. B. SHERWOOD. STALK DEPITHINGMAOHINE.

(Apph t mam 15 1900 (No Model.) 4 Sheeta-Shaot 3.

I GEORGE R. SHERWOOD, OF KEARNEY, NEBRASKA.

STALK-DEPITHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 670,037, dated March 19,1901 Application filed January 15, 1900. Serial No. 1.509. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE R. SHERWOOD, a resident of Kearney, in thecounty of Buffalo and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Stalk-Depithing Machines, of which the followingis a specification.

Myinvention relates toimprovementsin machines for separating the pith orsoft spongy inner substance from the shell or outer covering ofpith-bearing stalksthat is, machines for depithiug stalks in which thestalk is denuded of its pith and rendered separate therefrom, so thateither pith or stalk, or both, may be used for any purpose for which itmay be adapted without being afiected by the other portion of the stalk.

In my former machine, patented June 27, 1899, and numbered 627,882, Iremove the shell from one side of the stalk, flattened by thefeed-rolls, and then remove the shell from the opposite side of thestalk, so that the intermediate pith portion may be discharged after theshell or casing is removed. In such operation I remove the shell fromopposite sides of the stalk successively, so that the pith as it passesfrom the first to the second cutter will be supported by the shell onone side of the stalk.

The object of my present construction is to remove the two sides of thecompressed shell simultaneously from the central portion, which containsthe pith, by the mechanism hereinafter described, and shown in theannexed drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of the machine. Fig.2 is a view of the opposite side of the machine. Fig. 3 is a verticallongitudinal section of the same. Fig. 4 is a plan and section of aportion of the machine between the upper controlling-plates. Fig. 5 is adetail in perspective of the eccentric and shaft used in adjusting thecontrolling-plates. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a section ofthe side of the machine containing an end of the bedknife and means ofsupport thereof. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the knife andknifecarrier. Fig. Sis a perspective of one of the controlling-plates.

In the drawings, A and A represent the main castings, forming the sideof the framings of the machine; B and B,"the upper and lower feed-rolls,respectively, and O C the upper and lower knives; D and D, the upper andlower knife'carriers; E, E, E and E the knife-controlling plates; F, thedrawing-rolls, of which there are four; G, the revolving pitlncutterhead, and H the revolving shell-cutter head.

Power is transmitted to the machine by means of the pulley 10 on theshaft 11, which reaches through the machine. Between the pulley 10 andthe framing on the shaft 11 is a spurgear-wheel l2, meshing with thesmaller spur-gear 14, which is fastened on the shaft 15. Between theframes A and A on the shaft 15 is mounted the pith-cutter head G, whileon that part of the said shaft that extends outwardly beyond the gearlis a bevelgear 16, connecting with a bevel-gear 17 on the shaft 18. Atthe rear end of the shaft 18 is another bevel-gear 19, meshing with thebevel-gear 20 on the shaft 21, which also carries the shell-cutter headH between the frame members. Near the other end of the shaft 18 is aworm 23, engaging with the worm gearwheel 24 on the shaft Z)". Betweenthis worm gear-wheel and the frame member A on the shaft A is thespur-gear 25, meshing with another spur-gear 26 on the shaft (9'. Thisshaft also respectively carries the feed-rolls B and B.

Upon the end of the shaft 11 which extends through the frame A is asprocket-wheel 28, running a train of sprockets by a chain connectingwith and conveying motion to all the drawing and conveyer rolls.

Adjustment of the lower feed-roll B is provided by the screw 30. Thebearings of the upper feed-roll are slidable in the guideways of theframing, resting normally on the top of the studs 31, which areadjustably screwed into the upperpart of the lower feed-roll bearings.Sufficient pressure is given to the upper feed-roll by the screw 32,acting through the medium of the coiled spring 33 to flatten the stalks;but should any foreignsubstance of an unyielding nature, as a stone, beinadvertently fed into the rolls the upper roll will rise against thetension of the springs 33, so

as to disconnect the gearing and stop the revolution of the upper roll,consequently causing acessation of feed and effectually pro- *viding ameans of safety to the knives and other mechanism. 7

The knives C and G are firmly fastened to the knife-carriers D and D,which are not rigidly secured to the controlling-plates E, E, E and Ebut are attached to them by IO means of rods slidable in saidcontrollingplates. A slight amount of end movement is given the knivesand knife-carriers on these rods by any convenient mechanical meansas,for instance, those shown in my former r5 patent, previously noted. Thecontrollingplates E, E, E and E are also provided with bearings for theends of the drawing-rolls F, so that any movement or adjustment of theknives is accompanied by a corresponding adjustment of thedrawing-rolls. The said controlling-plates are furthermore provided witha series of slots or elongated apertures, in which eccentrics I arefitted. Said eccentrics are mounted in pairs on the shafts J, which havea bearing near each end in the main frames A and A and projectingoutwardly beyond the controlling-plates are squared, so as to be readilyturned, thus affording a positive adjustment for each pair ofcontrollingplates and the attached knives and rolls from either side ofthe machine in any direction. The projecting ends of the shafts J arealso threaded and fitted with clamping or looking nuts J, which whentightened press the controlling-plates tightly against the outer wallsof the framing, thus readily and securely maintaining the desiredadjustment.

In operation the stalks are fed between the feed-rolls, which flattenthe stalk and urge it onward by reason of their corrugations. Now theaction of flattening the stalks causes them to split and openlongitudinally, so that the shell or outer casing is disposed into twofiat layers, with the intermediate pith portion between. In thiscondition the stalk is advanced to the knives, which are each adjustedin relationto their respective rolls so as to leave the proper amount ofopening through which the shell may pass until caught and further drawnby the drawing-rolls and de livered by them into the conveyer-belt-s,preferably of canvas, and from thence afterward over the rear bed-knifeto the action of the revolving shell-cutter, the two pairs of beltsconvergingfor that purpose. While the shell is thus being disposed ofthe central portion of the stalkthat containing the pith-has entered theopening between the two knives, and meeting with obstruction therein is-suitable relation thereto, and the carriers to which the knives aresecured, combined with the drawing-rolls, means for adjusting thedrawing-rolls, the knives, and the knife-can riers simultaneously, andsuitable driving mechanisms for the different parts, substantially asShown.

2. In a machine for depithing stalks, the feed-rolls, two knivesarranged in suitable relation thereto, and the adjustable carriers towhich the knives are secured, and which carriers are provided withrecesses at their inner ends, combined with the drawing-rolls, one ofwhich fits in the recess in each carrierblock, means whereby the rolls,the carrierblocks, and the knives are adjusted simultaneously, andsuitable driving mechanisms for the different parts, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a depithing-machine, the feed-rolls, two knives arranged insuitable relation thereto, and the carriers to which the knives aresecured,combined with the drawing-rolls, the shafts upon which the rollsare placed, and which have their ends to project through the sides ofthe frame and are provided with cams, controlling-plates provided withslots in which thecams catch, and suitable driving mechanisms for thedifferent parts, substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine for depithing stalks, the feed-rolls, the knivesarranged in suitable relation thereto, the carriers to which the knivesare secured, and the drawing-rolls, combined with means forsimultaneously adjusting the drawing-rolls, the carriers and knives, twopairs of belts, suitable guidingpulleys therefor, the cutter-heads G, H,and suitable driving mechanisms for the different parts, substantiallyas specified.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my sig nature in presence of twoWitnesses.

GEORGE E. SHERWOOD.

Witnesses:

HARRY E. CRAMER, WM. P. ROWLAND.

